Cooper City To Annex New Park

Broward County commissioners agreed Tuesday to let Cooper City annex Brian Piccolo Park as part of the city`s effort to draw its southeastern boundary at Sheridan Street.

The county will still operate Brian Piccolo Park, scheduled to open in late 1987 or early 1988, while the city provides police and fire protection, City Manager Chris Farrell said.

Brian Piccolo Park, about 180 acres, is scheduled to be an active sports facility, including four-lighted baseball fields, three-lighted soccer fields, six tennis courts, four racquetball courts, a bicycle path and a stadium to seat 2,500.

The park is at the corner of Sheridan Street and Palm Avenue. But Cooper City has jurisdiction only over patches of land in the area south of Stirling Road and east of Palm Avenue.

``It was always our intention to square the city`s boundaries off at Sheridan Street,`` Farrell said, and acquiring Brian Piccolo Park will help. ``And we have always been a very park-oriented and very family-oriented community.``

The city is also negotiating annexation with residents of a neighborhood in the area, Royal Palm Ranches. County Commissioner Howard Forman urged city officials to continue this effort.

``I hope the neighborhood association has enough time to negotiate with Cooper City so that they can protect their rights,`` Forman said.